The report said that fostering services were under strain

The report by the Fostering Network said there was a shortage of 1,700 foster families across the country.

The lack of families meant a quarter of carers looked after four or more children at one time, the report said.

The charity called for Scotland to follow the rest of the UK which has a maximum of three children per family.

The research found many families were struggling to manage on insufficient allowances and fees, and have limited training opportunities.

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Bryan Ritchie, director of the Fostering Network Scotland, said: "The report shows clearly that while fostering providers and foster carers are doing a remarkable job, fostering services are under considerable strain.

"It highlights a number of areas where immediate action must be taken if we are to prevent the service from becoming overwhelmed.

"Scotland is the only country in the UK which does not impose a limit of three fostered children with each foster family at any one time.

"We urge the Scottish Executive to bring Scotland in line with the rest of the UK and implement a limit of three fostered children per family."

The report was funded by the Scottish Executive, and has the support of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW).

Placement limits

Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said: "We asked the Fostering Network to carry out this audit of foster care to provide a clearer picture of the current situation.

"We are delighted to see that the morale of foster carers is high and 92% are rightly proud of their role."

Mr Brown said the executive would consider the issues around training and placement limits highlighted in the report.

He said there was an ongoing consultation on allowances.